Converting equilibrium-limited reactions

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to converting equilibrium-limited reactions. Various embodiments may include methods and apparatus for such reactions, such as a method for converting equilibrium-limited reactions comprising: delivering a catalyst material to a reaction zone of a reactor; delivering starting materials into the reaction zone; reacting the materials to form a product; introducing a sorbent into the reactor; taking up the products with the sorbent; and collecting the sorbent once it is loaded with products in a collection zone of the reactor. In some embodiment, the reaction zone is separated from the collection zone in the reactor.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for converting equilibrium-limited reactions, the method comprising:
 delivering a catalyst material to a reaction zone of a reactor; 
 delivering starting materials into the presence of the catalyst material within the reactor; 
 reacting the starting materials to form a product; 
 introducing a sorbent into the reactor; 
 taking up the products with the sorbent; and 
 collecting the sorbent once it is loaded with products in a collection zone of the reactor; 
 wherein the reaction zone is separated from the collection zone in the reactor; 
 wherein the reactor comprises a dead-end reactor in which a gas concentration in the reactor is continuously measured and when a feed gas component is depleted said component is metered in correspondingly. 
 
     
     
       2. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 conveying the sorbent loaded with the product from the collection zone into a phase separator; 
 separating the product from the sorbent in the phase separator; and 
 discharging the unloaded sorbent from the phase separator into the reactor. 
 
     
     
       3. The process as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein separating the product from the sorbent comprises reducing the pressure. 
     
     
       4. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 separating the sorbent from the product; and 
 recirculating the sorbent which has been separated from the product to the reactor. 
 
     
     
       5. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising introducing the starting materials into the reactor in gaseous form;
 wherein the reaction is carried out in a gas phase; and 
 the sorbent is conveyed through the reactor in a contact-free manner in respect to the catalyst material. 
 
     
     
       6. The process as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sorbent comprises an ionic liquid.